If you’re a residential or commercial property manager, you’re likely conducting frequent routine checks and maintenance on your premises’ safety and security systems.
If you are considering an upgrade of your fire alarms or needing a system installed AWS are here to help! Here’s our 5-minute guide to fire alarm systems in offices, warehouses and blocks of flats. We’ll cover the types of alarm systems, the risks to each type of property and the benefits of a good fire safety system.
What type of alarm system do I need?
We’ve compiled a list of the most common types of fire alarms, but if you’re still questioning which is most suitable for your property, we can help review your needs and provide guidance. Get in touch with us to arrange a free site survey. [link]
- Break glass units
These are a common feature of most alarm systems and can be triggered manually when someone becomes aware of a fire.
- Optical smoke detectors
Frequently found in buildings with high ceilings, the systems operate by detecting smoke across a big area using a projected beam of light.
- Heat detectors
Ideal for environments that may become smoky, heat detectors are found in 2 common types: fixed temperature and rate of rise. Fixed temperature detectors will be triggered when a certain level of heat is present whereas rate of rise detectors are designed to react to sharp rises in temperature.
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Fires are fed by oxygen, using up the stores in the room and replacing it with carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide builds up, the fuel cannot fully combust resulting in the release of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless gas that can be picked up in tiny amounts by a carbon monoxide detector.
- Monitored alarm systems
The most comprehensive of the fire safety systems, the monitored alarm ensures that no alerts go unnoticed, even when the premises are unoccupied. They provide all the benefits of a good alarm system with the bonus of being monitored around the clock by a trained professional.
- Wireless fire alarms
In buildings where it is impractical or aesthetically unappealing to have cables running through, wireless fire alarms use radio frequencies to connect the system. Several frequencies support the signal, resulting in a strong connection free of disturbances.
- Aspirating alarms
Also great for spaces with high ceilings where traditional alarms would be redundant, air is drawn in through a network of pipes and tested for smoke particles.
- Addressable fire alarms
These systems alert you to which point or detector has been set off, which can save valuable time in large buildings with lots of rooms or areas.
Purpose-built blocks of flats
As most fires occur in residential properties, a block containing several dwellings is at higher risk of experiencing fires.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and, for the first time, included the communal areas of blocks of flats with mainstream fire safety regulations. This means that property owners are now required by law to ensure their premises reach the required fire safety standards.
It’s important to be fully aware of the fire risks in flats such as:
- Inadequately extinguished smoking materials
- Cooking
- Faulty electrics/electrical equipment
- Candles
Who needs to provide the fire alarms in a block of flats?
As we mentioned, it’s mandatory for residential property managers to provide fire alarms in the communal areas of your buildings. It’s also vital to provide your residents the time to escape in the event of a fire as well as attempt to reduce damage to the building and your investment.
Landlords with tenants also need to provide fire detectors within each flat, as do freeholders, even where the occupier owns the property.
We can help with all of these requirements. Just call us on 01582 730241
Offices
As with blocks of flats, workplaces are also covered in The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This means that the consequences for failing to supply or maintain adequate fire prevention equipment are severe.
Directors and business owners should be mindful of the fire risks in offices
- Poorly planned escape routes
- Flammable materials
- Faulty electrics/electrical equipment
- Careless disposal of smoking materials
Need help with your fire alarms in an office building?
A well-placed fire detection system gives you the best chance of limiting damage caused to the property and its contents and gives anyone inside as much time as possible to evacuate. It can also lower your insurance premium and is sound business sense. Around 60% of private businesses don’t recover from a fire, according to the Association of British Insurers, a figure worth bearing in mind when looking at your fire risk and assessing the danger.
Warehouses
As mentioned in our [warehouse security blog], fire alarm systems are especially important in distribution centres and warehouse facilities. The vast, open nature of the spaces with row after row of flammable packing makes them a fire risk.
Fire risks in warehouses
- Arson
- Faulty electrics/electrical equipment
- Poorly disposed of smoking materials
- Rubbish and waste
- Heating systems
- Combustible materials
The importance of fire alarms in a warehouse
As with all other aspects of fire prevention and safety, preserving human life is the top priority. It’s also the case that warehouses often store large quantities of valuable goods, so reducing damage to stock and potential downtime can save the company unnecessarily large expenses.
Who should design, supply and install your alarm system?
Make sure you choose a reputable company to implement your alarm system as there is currently no minimum qualification required to establish yourself as a ‘fire alarm designer’.
Accreditations and third-party certifications are a good thing to look out for as the company has therefore been independently audited and found to meet the correct standards.
AWS are available to discuss your fire alarm requirements and recommend systems for your premises. We work with leading suppliers and technical experts to ensure that all your fire prevention and detection measures are as efficient as possible. Contact us today to get started.